Group C: Bursaspor (Bettorlogic rank 114) v Rangers (59) (Tues, 19:45)
There is nothing to play for in this game between first-time qualifiers Bursaspor and reigning SPL champions Rangers. The visitors are five points clear of their opponents but they are also five adrift of second-placed Valencia and thus are assured of a Europa League spot. Bursaspor have scored just one goal in five group matches so far while 10/15 of Rangers’ away group games have had -2.5 goals since 2003/04.
Recommendation: No bet
Group C: Man Utd (3) v Valencia (11) (Tues, 19:45)
Man Utd are likely to field a full-strength 11 for this game and they should be fresh after their Premier League match at Blackpool was called off at the weekend. The hosts are yet to conceded a Champions League goal this term, and they have been goalless at the interval in four of their games. While their full-time record of W10-D6-L1 in home group fixtures since 2005/06 is quite impressive they have led at the break in just six of the matches with eight HT stalemates. Further, they have been tied 0-0 at half-time in 3/3 games hosting sides with a Bettorlogic rank of 6-15 over the same period – two of the matches ended 0-0, while they beat Roma 1-0 in the other. Valencia have lost just 3/11 away group matches since 2004/05 and they have been level at the break in five of the games. Within that sample, they have travelled to higher-ranked opposition twice and both games finished goalless – at Chelsea in 2007/08 and at Inter in 2004/05. English sides have drawn the first half of 12/21 home group games against Spanish opposition this century, 15 of the games have had -2.5 goals and eight -1.5 goals.
Recommendation: HT draw 2.25, Coral
0.25 pt: Correct score 0-0 11.0, Various
Group D: Barcelona (1) v Rubin Kazan (32) (Tues, 19:45)
Rubin Kazan return to the scene of their greatest triumph as they attempt to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time. Last season Rubin beat Barcelona 2-1 at the Nou Camp and drew with them at home while they also drew with Barca on Matchday 2 this year. Rubin have lost just 3/11 Champions League matches but they have drawn six of them. Unsurprisingly, Barcelona’s home group stage record is impressive. They have won 13/17 such matches since 2005/06 by two clear goals with 12 W/Ws. While the hosts will probably rest most of their starters here, their second string is so strong that we wouldn’t risk backing Rubin even with a one-goal start.
Recommendation: No bet
Group D: Copenhagen (36) v Panathinaikos (43) (Tues, 19:45)
Copenhagen won the reverse of this fixture 2-0 and they will be hoping Panathinaikos’ thoughts will be elsewhere in this game. The visitors sit bottom of Group D on two points, four below third-placed Rubin. Copenhagen are unbeaten in five home group Champions League matches – their only other appearance was in 2006/07 when they recorded victories over Man Utd and Celtic. They have been tied at the break in four of their games. Panathinaikos have scored just one goal from their five matches so far and both of their points came from goalless draws against Rubin. This century they have lost 17/26 away group games with 11 L/Ls but they have avoided defeat in 4/5 trips to teams ranked 31-51. While Copenhagen look a strong bet here, 1.44 is too short for a team that have defeated the -1.5 goal just once at home in this competition.
Recommendation: No bet